Chapter 28

The bus wound its way along the winding roads that connected São Paulo to Paraty, cutting through the lush landscape that stretched as far as the eyes could reach. The soft twilight light bathed the interior of the vehicle, illuminating Bruno's face as he sat by the window, lost in his own thoughts.

While he observed the vegetation-covered mountains, Bruno tried to align his mind and heart. The internal conflict that had consumed him since he left Helena was an unrelenting storm, a battle between his rational decisions and his deepest desires. The wind whispered against the glass as if attempting to bring him some consolation or answers.

He clutched the bus ticket in his hands, feeling the crumpled paper between his fingers. With a sigh, he took a pen from his backpack and began scribbling on the back, listing the pros and cons of his decision. Each stroke on the paper felt like an internal struggle between his heart and his mind.

On the pros side, Bruno listed the